All posts by Becca Leigh

How to Get Credit for Study Abroad Programs

After, Before, DuringAdvising, Pre-Departure, Preparation, ProgramsBecca Leigh

Each college and university awards study abroad credit differently - here, we discuss the process as well as things to keep in mind to help you prepare! | Study Abroad and Beyond During the process of preparing for study abroad, many students focus primarily on choosing a destination, a time, and a program.

However, we as study abroad advisors always encourage students to focus on the “study” part of studying abroad.

Weird, right?

One of the many reasons that students give for why they don’t want to consider studying abroad during college is because of the long-held belief that studying abroad will result in a delayed graduation date.

This isn’t true!

One of the ways to mitigate this is to get your potential courses approved and annotated prior to departure, as opposed to working it out once you return.

Before I delve deeper into this (and why the process is such a pain to get through), I need to give a bit of a disclaimer. Some institutions do not allow students to receive credit at all for courses outside of approved programs or partners.

While you can certainly still participate on a non-approved program and not receive credit, if you are in need of certain credits or courses abroad, be sure you can earn credit with your chosen program. Prior to applying to a program, talk to your study abroad advisor (or counselor) to see if your program is eligible for credit.

If your chosen program or school is on your college’s approved program list (or you can petition to have it approved) and your courses are eligible for credit, these are the typical next steps in the process:

Meet with your study abroad advisor about your program (or program interests).

The study abroad advisor for your program will be able to provide you with some insights, like which programs will suit your academic needs. Your advisor can also talk to you about the upcoming pre-approval process that is specific to your program and university.

Also, your advisor will let you know early if your desired courses abroad are eligible for credit. A lot of universities will not accept credit for specific types of courses if they do not fulfill academic courses available at the school.

(You will be disappointed to learn that many cooking courses won’t transfer back.)

By meeting with your study abroad advisor in advance, you will manage realistic expectations for your courses abroad.

Understand how the credit from your program or school will transfer back.

Once you are certain that you can receive credit, it is important to understand what kind of credits they are. Typically, your courses will either be eligible for transfer credit or resident credit.

Each university awards credit taken at other institutions in different ways. For the most part, transfer credits will be on your transcript but will not affect your overall GPA. However, transfer credits are applied to your overall credits towards graduation.

Resident credits, on the other hand, will generally be factored into your overall GPA. They will also be applied to the overall credits for your degree.

At this point, you need to figure out if your classes can be taken pass / fail, need to be taken for a letter grade, or can be audited.

You don’t want to be abroad and figure out the answer to this question!

Determine how many credits you need to take while abroad.

For the purpose of financial aid and staying on track for graduation, you will need to maintain your full-time student status while you are abroad.

Different countries use different credit systems. I mean, why would anything be uniform and simple?.

You need to check in advance how many courses equate a full-time status abroad.

Your host school or program provider will be able to tell you in advance how many courses you need to take in order to maintain this status. However, your study abroad advisor will be able to guide you on how the credits will come back.

For example, for some European universities, one course is worth 5 ECTS credits. Some US institutions accept this as 3 US credits.

Research available courses at your program destination.

Now that you have figured out the credit details, it’s time to look at the available courses! Figure out what courses are available at your program destination.

Are they in your major or minor, or will they possibly fulfill general elective credits?

Are courses available to visiting students?

Do you have to have a major declared in a specific field in order to enroll in certain courses?

Also, if your home university has a transfer credit database, research some of the courses that other students have taken at your host institution.

This will give you a good idea about what courses will be for credit, and which courses are relevant to your interests and academic goals.

Review your graduation requirements on your student portal. Or, meet with your academic advisor about your graduation requirements.

With graduation being the ultimate goal of any college experience, make sure that your study abroad program will support your academic goals.

It is, after all, “study” abroad.

Meeting with your academic advisor should help you determine if your program will allow you to stay on track, how many courses you can take for your major while abroad, which requirements you are not able to fulfill, how many electives you can take, and more.

This would also be a good time to ask about any registration requirements you need to remember. You should also ask about what you will need to communicate while you are away. Remember, the most successful study abroad students maintain great communication!

Obtain the course pre-approval form and complete the pre-approval process.

Almost all colleges and universities have a course pre-approval form for study abroad students. It is a binding document, and any changes to it need to be communicated to almost everyone who signed it.

You are expected to list all of the courses they intend to take abroad.

(…Or at least provide a list of courses that *might* be available during the semester abroad.)

Students should also provide some alternate courses as back-up, in the event that the ideal courses are not available. When requesting the courses to be reviewed, it is helpful (and sometimes required) to provide the course syllabi with your course pre-approval form.

At all of the places I have worked or studied abroad, the pre-approval form entailed a combination or selection of the following signatures:

Study abroad advisor
Academic advisor
College / department advisor
Dean or department chair
Student
Registrar

Also, to make this process less obnoxious than it already is, keep track of this piece of paper. Imagine having to get all of these signatures twice (even though you would not be alone)!

Make a copy of your course pre-approval form once you have obtained all of the signatures.

Bonus points if it’s a digital copy that you can access once you are abroad.

Once you are abroad and you finalize your courses, get approval for any courses that aren’t listed on your course pre-approval form.

This will help you know how all of the courses you take abroad will impact your degree.

If you don’t get the courses approved and annotated for how they will impact your degree before you complete your program, you will have to work with your academic advisor (and probably the study abroad advisor) once you return to campus.

Make sure your program or program provider will send your transcript to your home university’s Registrar or study abroad office.

This is probably the most important part of the “getting credit process.”

If your home university never receives a transcript, you will not receive credit for your program. Check with your home university study abroad office after you return. Remember that it might take a few weeks (or months) for the credits to be applied.

And there you have it! If you communicate with the required parties and follow these steps, you should be well on your way for getting credit for your courses abroad.

As always, check out the Resources page to find opportunities for scholarships, grants, and international opportunities!

What did you have to do in order to ensure credit for your study abroad program? Reply in the comments below!

Why Students Prefer Spring Study Abroad (and Why You Should Consider Fall!)

Before, DuringAdvising, Pre-Departure, Programs, ResearchBecca Leigh

Why students prefer spring study abroad (and why you should consider fall!) | Study Abroad and Beyond It’s been a big week! From today being Dr. Seuss’ birthday (and we all know he wrote the greatest book of all time), and yesterday being the study abroad application deadline for fall programs for many universities (including my current university), I have a feeling it’s been crazy for many, many people (and it’s also midterm time…).

So, in honor of it being deadline time for fall programs, I’d like to discuss why so many more students study abroad in the spring than in the fall semester.

In all of the colleges and universities where I have worked, the difference between fall and spring study abroad numbers is typically a 1:3 ratio.

Usually, this means that it is absolute chaos near the study abroad application deadlines in the fall, but not so much in the spring. What gives?

I’ve heard many explanations for why students consider studying abroad in the spring rather than in the fall; here are some of the reasons I have heard (and my responses as a realistic study abroad advisor).

Studying abroad during the spring semester of junior year is the traditional time to go.

This was absolutely true traditionally, but not as much any more.

With the diversification of study abroad programs and opportunities, more students are looking into studying abroad earlier to allow for more time to pursue internships, or additional study abroad programs.

Related post: Types of Study Abroad Programs

I will stay longer after my program and go traveling all summer.

I admire your optimism. If you are studying abroad for a short term or summer program, I think that this would be reasonable and feasible. In fact, pending your visa status in your host country, I think this is a great idea.

However, at the end of between four and six months away from home, the vast majority of students (think – over 90 percent) are ready to return home.

Between experiencing varying degrees of homesickness and the fact that finals are a universal truth of college, returning home for some home-cooked meals and a clothes dryer at the end of your program sounds quite desirable.

If you kick off your fall study abroad program by traveling for a few weeks or months, you’ll be geared up for your next adventure – a full semester at a new school!

Related: Coming Home: How to Cope

It will be easier to sublet my apartment / release my room in the spring.

This is often a challenge for students no matter when they go; however, if a student is studying abroad in the fall, it is often easier to find housing in a spring study abroad student’s room (or rooms from other students taking time away from school).

This is a great opportunity to be opportunists, all you fall study abroad students.

Missing rush week isn’t an option, and I won’t miss as many sports seasons at school if I study abroad in the spring.

I understand the concern and stress about missing certain events at home / school, but I often encourage students to think critically about how much missing events within your campus community will really mean.

I don’t want to miss Thanksgiving.

I can’t argue that. Thanksgiving in the US is my favorite holiday. Missing Thanksgiving with my family was the hardest part of living abroad (I was able to Skype in to Thanksgiving dinner!!).

But that did make Thanksgiving so much more enjoyable the next year when I was home to celebrate it.

The weather will be better in the spring.

If a student is planning on studying in any country with the exception of countries south of the Equator, I have to say that this isn’t necessarily true. Here is a very generalized, non-scientific weather progression comparing spring and fall semesters from beginning to end:

Weather differences between fall and spring semester | Study Abroad and Beyond

Personally, I’d rather arrive in the summer than arrive in the middle of winter. Look at that weather!

I need more time to prepare for the program.

This is entirely dependent on when the program is scheduled to start. Study abroad programs in the spring can start anywhere from early January until the end of March; if a student is enrolled in a program that starts on January 4th, this only leaves 2 1/2 weeks between semesters!

Generally, there is far more time for students to prepare for a study abroad program during a summer semester than during a winter break. When it comes to getting a passport, a visa, housing, and all of the official documents, the break leading up to a fall semester program provides ample time to do this.

No matter which semester you end up choosing, your study abroad advisor will be there to support you during the application process and all the way through your time abroad!

Which semester would you prefer to study abroad? What advice do you have for students who are considering a fall semester abroad?

11 Things You Need to Research Before Traveling

Before, Staying SafePre-Departure, Preparation, Research, Safety, TipsBecca Leigh

A checklist for all of the "not fun" things to remember to research for your trip | Study Abroad and Beyond When planning a trip, it is easy to remember to book a place to stay, research some cool places to see, pack some clothes that (kind of) match, and map out the types of food that you are drooling over.

However, there are some un-fun things to remember when planning a trip. A lot of this information can be found on the Travel page at the U.S. Department of State website for your destination(s).

Reading that page should absolutely be a priority before departing.

Here is a list, in no particular order, of things that you should research before you leave for an international trip (that even the most savvy of travelers might forget!), regardless of your length of stay.

Visa entry requirements for your destination(s)

Each country has different entry and exit requirements (a thinly veiled reflection of the relationships between different countries, but whatever).

Some countries require travel visas (which can be stickers in your passport that you acquire in advance or at the border). Some even require transit visas (meaning that even if you transit through the country you will need a visa). All require prior research (since things can always change).

I was pleasantly surprised once of the electronic visa I needed to enter Australia. I showed up at the airport and the ticket agent informed me that I would not be joining the flight without the visa. After a quick visit to a computer (that was thankfully available to guests), I paid the $20 and was on my merry way. Lesson learned.

Number of empty pages needed in your passport

Quick quiz – can the airline reject you at the ticket counter if you do not have sufficient space in your passport to enter the host country?

Answer – yes, yes they can.

Even worse, you could be allowed to board the plane and travel to your host country and THEN be told you cannot enter. Which would result in you purchasing an additional flight home.

You have been warned.

11 Things You Need to Research Before Traveling | Study Abroad and Beyond

Passport validity requirements

Similar to the number of blank pages required for entry, each country can determine how many months of validity each traveler needs to have in their passport. Also, as an added bonus, the airline / country can always refuse entry if you do not meet the requirements.

As a general rule, the Department of State recommends having at least 6 months of validity in your passport beyond your planned date of departure from your destination country in order to avoid any problems at immigration.

Contact information for US embassy

Who you gonna call?

THE EMBASSY!

In the event that something goes wrong during your travels, depending on the severity of the situation, you might need to contact our friends at the Department of State.

The last thing you want in that kind of situation is not have the number.

Keep it secret. Keep it safe.

Important phrases in host language (especially if you have medical concerns like allergies)

In addition to knowing the words for “please,” “thank you,” “hello,” and maybe “help,” if you have any type of allergy or medical limitation, learn relevant phrases in the language of your host country (or just have those phrases saved someplace). This will help if you end up in a medical emergency where you need to provide your health history.

Also, this is a great time to have travel insurance – some international insurance policies include translation services if needed.

Local 911 equivalent (emergency number) and local clinic

No one likes to plan for when things can possibly go wrong. However, Murphy’s law dictates that things will go wrong.

In a stressful situation, it is a lot less stressful when you have the emergency information on hand so that you can react once you have had your minor freak out session. The Department of State kindly created a page for what to do in an emergency. Save this to all of your devices.

Flight information

Have a digital as well as a paper copy of this. Some countries will require you to present proof that you plan to leave the country at some point.

Directions from airport to accommodations (and the reverse)

Between Rome2Rio and Google Maps, it is easy for travelers to plan out minute details of their trips in advance. Even if you have arranged an airport pick up, it is important to have back up information in the event that your transport isn’t there when you thought it would be (we’ve all been there).

Many airports in larger cities have airport buses or trains that can transport you to the city center for a reasonable fee; researching this in advance is always helpful.

Also, it helps to have the address to your accommodations ready in case the immigration officer asks for your address while in the country. They can also delay entry (or just make your entry a lot more stressful) if you do not have this information.

11 Things You Need to Research Before Traveling | Study Abroad and Beyond

Destination public transportation (or rental car information)

Prior to departure, it will be helpful to quickly research the public transportation options at your destination (if there are any).

What is the most widely used form of transportation?

Is there a stop at the airport?

Is there a connecting shuttle to public transportation?

The more you research, the smoother your arrival will be.

Legality of your medications in your destination country

This is very easy to forget, but can have the most critical consequences.Some medications that are legal in the USA are banned in certain countries; make sure you research each of your medications in advance for legality (ex – Ritalin or Adderall in many countries).

Check out the OSAC (Overseas Security Advisory Council) report for traveling with medications, and review the CDC website for useful information for students leaving for study abroad and those preparing for long term travel.

Travel warnings

As always, the Department of State cares a lot about your safety. They issue travel warnings and advisories in order to protect U.S. Citizens who are planning to travel to a destination. These are issued when there might not be as many support structures on the ground, there might be unrest in the country, or there might be a significant disaster in the country (among other things).

One way to ensure that you will always be up to date with travel warnings and country information is to register for the STEP Program and update your profile for each trip you book.

What do you always make sure to do before you go on a trip? Share in the comments below!

An Open Letter to Students Departing for Study Abroad

Before, DuringOpen Letter, Pre-Departure, PreparationBecca Leigh

An open letter to students departing for study abroad (from a study abroad advisor) | Study Abroad and Beyond You did it. You’re really departing.

Did you ever actually think that this day would come? You attended meetings, you read your handbook, you asked questions, and it’s all for this.

Your plane is departing in a few hours, and you will hug and kiss your loved ones before embarking on your journey.

You’ve gone through the ups and downs of submitting paperwork, getting your courses in order (… kinda…), arranging housing (… as much as you could…), and making sure that your visa and passport are in order.

Not to mention the many conversations you have had with your friends and family detailing your upcoming adventures, sharing as much information as you have available to you, and trying not to convey your own concerns while simultaneously trying to help them deal with their own.

But you do have concerns.

How will the jet lag affect you? Will you make friends? How will you like the food? How will you react when something goes wrong? Will your courses be challenging? How will you like your professors? Will you regret going with your friends? Or will you regret not going with your friends?

…Will you be okay when you are alone?

Will you be okay?

Deep down, you know that you will be able to handle anything and everything that you encounter.

You have demonstrated resilience.

You have shown resourcefulness.

Departing will be easier than you thought.

Even if you have had anxiety, you have continued to pursue your dream of studying abroad.

There were days when you thought that it simply wasn’t going to happen. There were days when you thought that it wasn’t going to be possible. And there were days when you just weren’t sure if it was going to be worth it.

But you know that it will be worth it.

You know that you will have your highest highs while studying abroad, but you also are aware that you will likely have your lowest lows. You are prepared for the differences in your host culture, and you are ready to embrace the adventures waiting for you regardless of the challenges you will face.

If nothing goes right - go left | Study Abroad and Beyond

Because you know that you will return a different person.

You know that the word “home” will start to have a new meaning.

You are ready.

We will miss you. But we are excited for you (and not a little jealous of you).

As your advisors, we do genuinely care about you (even though there were times that we sounded exasperated).

When you are departing, a part of us leaves with you too.

We know that we can say any words of support to you, but we think that Dr. Seuss said it best in “Oh, the Places You’ll Go:”

“Congratulations! Today is your day! You’re off to great places – you’re off and away! You’ve got brains in your head, you’ve got feet in your shoes, you can steer yourself any direction you choose… Oh, the places you”ll go!”

We will be eagerly awaiting your return.

We hope to hear from you when you’re gone (even though we probably won’t, since you’ll be too busy going on adventures!).

You are ready. You’ve got this.

Safe travels, and “now get on your way!”

5 Reasons Why Students Don’t Study Abroad

BeforeAdvising, Pre-Departure, ResearchBecca Leigh

Reasons why students don't end up studying abroad | Study Abroad and Beyond How amazing would it be to say that you studied abroad?

Imagine sitting in a classroom in a renovated castle…

Savoring a tea ceremony with your classmates…

Visiting a local museum to conduct research in the host language…

Meditating with stunning views around you…

Touring the lesser-visited sites of a city…

Making friendships that last for decades…

This – and more – can be accomplished by studying abroad.

Many students consider a college or university based on the study abroad program offerings, but then never end up enrolling in a program. Study abroad departments are constantly trying to decrease the barriers for students interested in studying abroad, and yet research shows that 90 percent of students in the United States do not study abroad – for any length of time – during their college careers.

Isn’t that crazy!?

Here are five reasons, in no particular order, I usually hear from students who do not end up enrolling in a study abroad programs (or ultimately end up withdrawing from their programs before departing – keep in mind that I was one of those students who withdrew!):

It’s too expensive
I don’t want to miss out on football/ basketball/ rush week/ friend hangout nights/ holidays/ special events with my family
I’m scared for my safety
I am anxious about going
My girlfriend/ boyfriend/ significant other would leave me

Let’s address each of these individually:

It’s too expensive.

Studying abroad is expensive; however, the expense depends on the individual – if you are more likely to walk everywhere, stay locally each weekend, cook your own meals or stay with a homestay, your costs will be very different from someone who travels every weekend, eats out for every meal, and drinks every night.

I encourage you to give yourself a hard budget in advance – whatever money you have available to yourself during your program, you will spend (I say this with 95% confidence). Consider earmarking money for your time abroad before you leave for the program.

Also, the earlier you start planning your study abroad program, the more likely that you will be able to apply for scholarships before the deadline (side note – head to the Resources page for some scholarship ideas!).

I don’t want to miss out on anything.

Let me be very frank with this – you will miss things.

You will miss football games, and basketball games, and nights out with your friends, and weddings, and maybe even Thanksgiving.

However, this is balanced out with nights out with your new friends from all over the world, soccer games (attending a soccer game in Latin America or Europe is almost a requirement, and calling it football is a requirement too!), cuisine exchange with your friends or host family, weekends away to exciting new cities, a greater understanding of yourself and your home culture, and so much more.

Who is truly missing out is really up for debate.

I’m scared for my safety.

Fear of the unknown is completely normal. However, there is risk inherently in everything that we do and everywhere we go.

Your study abroad program and your home university each have a vested interest in your safe return home. You should research any travel risks in your destination on the Department of State travel site, as well as plan for your course of action in the event of an emergency (as a hint, this information is probably in your pre-departure packet as well as on the website for your host school or program).

There are a number of interactive websites that provide different data points from countries around the world; NationMaster is one such site that I encourage you to poke around.

I’ve talked a lot about why you should register with the STEP Program – I do this before each of my trips to keep myself up to date with anything going on in my destination country, and to make sure that they have my back in a not-so-great situation.

Related Post: Why You Should Use the STEP Program

Finally, thoroughly review your international medical insurance coverage and consider purchasing insurance that covers travel as well.

I’m anxious about going.

Anxiety makes perfect sense. It’s not every day that someone wakes up and decides to leave their university and home country for an extended period of time. We have all gone through the “… oh, what have I done?” emotions prior to leaving for a program or some time abroad.

Try to break down your anxieties – are you nervous about not knowing anyone when you get there?

Are you anxious about the language barrier?

Are you freaking out about your housing?

Did you forget to disclose some accommodations information?

Did you watch the news and get nervous about an earthquake in Chile that you think will affect you in Cuba?

Speak candidly about your anxieties with your study abroad advisor so you can get the information and support that you need.

My significant other would leave me.

Open communication here is key. I have seen many different iterations of couples experiencing study abroad programs- a couple studies abroad together and stays together, a couple studies abroad together and does not stay together, one person goes abroad and they stay together, one person goes abroad and the relationship ends immediately, two people meet on a study abroad program and get married… Really, everyone is different.

Communicate with your SO about your anxieties far in advance so you can make a decision about your study abroad experience that will benefit you, your future career, and your academic experience.

Who knows, maybe distance will actually make the heart grow fonder…

What made you think twice about studying abroad? What ultimately motivated you to go (or stay)?

7 Habits of Successful Study Abroad Students

BeforeAdvising, Pre-Departure, Preparation, TipsBecca Leigh

7 Habits of Successful Study Abroad Students | Study Abroad and Beyond Studying abroad is a big deal. Moving away from everything that is familiar for a few months can be daunting, but there are some ways to stand out as a student who is destined for success.

In the years I have worked in / participated in study abroad, I have interacted with hundreds of students. However, I can think of the stand-out students very easily – by name and by face.

These students made an impression on me by overcoming challenges of all sorts, establishing rapport with me, and looking critically at their experiences. Heck, some of them even came to work with me after their programs because they were such all-stars!

Here are some habits that all successful study abroad students have developed and demonstrated.

1. They check their emails

The best study abroad students are on top of things. They respond in a timely manner to emails prior to leaving the country, and also ask their study abroad and academic advisors questions (maybe after reading some of the important documents about their programs).

By establishing this as a habit early, students are paving the way for responding to the many emails they get from their home universities when abroad (reminders for housing, registration, emergency response emails…) and keeping an open line of communication with the study abroad advisor.

In keeping this line of communication open, students will have more opportunities for references, support on scholarship applications, potential peer advisor positions, and sometimes even some individual tips on resumes and interviewing strategies. This all stems from great communication!

Related Post: 6 Tips to Own a Job Interview

2. They read their documents

We know that there is a lot to read. Trust me. We had to write or proofread most of the stuff that we give to you.

However, successful study abroad students have read 75 percent of their documents within a month of their acceptance to a program. These students know that there is a reason for a 90-page pre-departure book, a 3-page visa information booklet, and those bolded, flagged-as-important emails that stress us out so much.

Also, successful students make notes of things that don’t make sense and bring them up to their advisors for clarification before leaving the country. We know that these documents are mostly dry and uninteresting, but, much like bran flakes, they are good for you and not as bad as they sound.

3. They attend all of their meetings

Watching Netflix is far more fun than attending meetings. However, students who schedule and attend meetings (for course approval, financial aid, visa appointments, pre-departure and the like) have a far higher rate of success than those who do not attend any meetings.

The meetings will likely cover topics that are specific to you – how to find housing, how to make good choices abroad, how to deal with your bank, tips for communication strategies when you’re abroad, how to find out arrival information, and more. Much more.

We know that all of the meetings for studying abroad are tedious. | Study Abroad and Beyond

4. They own up to their mistakes

Some of the best students still make mistakes (like not checking their passports for six months’ of validity after their scheduled return date to the United States). However, what sets these students apart is that they own up to these mistakes. Look at the difference between these sentences:

You didn’t tell me to check my passport expiration date
I didn’t check my passport expiration date because it completely slipped my mind

As administrators, we will react much more favorably to the second sentence than the first one (because, I promise you, we asked you about your passport before you completed your application). We all make mistakes, but we love it when students own up to their oversights.

5. They research their destination country, city, and school

These are beginning to be predictable, right?

Knowledge is power. The best students use a variety of sources to research their destination(s) before departure – the website of the school / program, international news sources, local news and visitor centers, language learning sources, school websites, Pinterest, et cetera.

These students have also sought out returned study abroad students or exchange students and asked about how best to prepare for their time abroad (and yes, I mean asking questions about the city, the people, and the classes instead of just the best bars).

6. They communicate and engage

Successful students go beyond responding to emails and aim to establish relationships with their study abroad advisors, their homestay family / flatmates, and their classmates.

They also keep their families (and sometimes their study abroad providers) in the loop with their plans and travel ideas (and they register their trips with the STEP Program), and openly discuss their concerns and their family’s concerns well in advance of the date of departure.

Yes, you too can study abroad! | Study Abroad and Beyond

Related Post: Why You Should Use the STEP Program

7. They follow the rules of improv… within reason

The rules of improv are simple – always say yes. The students who are most successful open themselves to new experiences and maybe end up saying “I didn’t know I had it in myself to learn the fine art of throat singing, but now I’m going on tour.”

Try some of the local wine (you were going to anyway).

Visit a random museum that looks really… different (like the museum in Stockholm that honors a gigantic failure of a ship).

Stop using the words “better” or “worse” and embrace the term “different.”

Lean in to serendipity.

Play a pick-up game of soccer (football) even though you haven’t played in years.

Spend time getting to know yourself.

(Disclaimer: while you should say yes to a lot of things, your advisors do encourage you to check the exclusions on your health insurance prior to saying yes to some extreme sports, however).

The more you put into your experiences, the more you will get out of living abroad!

Are you excited about becoming a rock star of a study abroad student? Learn more about the types of programs that are available to students, and visit the comments to talk about how to study abroad successfully!

The Truth about Homestays: Pros and Cons

Before, DuringBecca Leigh

Are you considering homestays when you go abroad? Read this before you commit! | Study Abroad and Beyond One of the most stressful aspects of moving abroad is deciding on housing.

If you are moving abroad without a program to provide support, there are slews of options.

(You can find most of them housing and roommate-finding websites).

However, if you have a program that is supporting you, some programs provide housing in apartments, housing in student housing, homestays, and still others provide international students with housing information but the students ultimately have to secure housing by themselves.

It is a lot.

One of the biggest conversations I frequently have with students centers around the reality of homestays.

Host families can vary just like families in the US. There can be retired couples, families with children, families hosting a number of other students, young couples… the list goes on. All of these families, when connected to a program, have likely been vetted by the program for safety, accessibility, and ability to support students.

There are pros and cons to living with a host family. There are a variety of facts that are what they are (it’s up to you to decide if you would add them to pros or cons).

Study abroad advisors frequently encourage students to consider homestays because of the immersive language and cultural component of living with a family.

It is important for students to manage expectations about all housing options before moving in with a family, a roommate, or alone. Here is the list of pros and cons for living with homestays.

Pros:

You will have a direct connection to the city on arrival

Hooray for insta-tour guides! Host families understand that you are living with them in order to get to know their city even better, and most families are more than eager to show off their homes.

Best bakery close to home? You will learn it quickly!

A quirky restaurant? They might own it!

You want to visit the countryside? Sure – they are going there for Easter and would love to have you come!

(Side note – my French host family did take me to the French countryside for Easter and we stayed at the grandparents’ house. The grandparents were not there. I’m still working that one out.)

Many meals are likely provided

Free food always tastes better.

Most homestays will communicate in advance just how many meals will be provided.

Two meals during the week and three on weekends? Three every day? One a day? None because students can have their own meals?

No matter which option it is, this is a great way to experience home-cooked food from the family’s culture.

You will need to communicate any food allergies or dietary restrictions prior to arriving with either the program coordinator or your host family. Something of note – you will want to research eating and drinking customs in your host culture in advance. This is so you do not mistakenly offend your host family (or so you can prepare yourself for the huge amounts of food presented to you).

One of the perks of staying with a host family is the food! | Study Abroad and Beyond

You don’t have to worry about paying additional bills

Homestays, for the most part, do not nickel and dime their studens. Whatever agreed-upon weekly or monthly fee you paid covers your portion of utilities, food, and perhaps Internet.

I have heard that some homestays do not provide Internet, but this is something to discuss in advance with the program coordinator or host family.

Getting this communication in writing will help clear up any misunderstandings you may have on this topic in the future.

You will have a fully immersive language experience

You want to learn Polish fluently? A host family will pretty much ensure that.

You might be asked for some English lessons, but what better way to share culture than through mutually beneficial language lessons?

You will experience the most effective cultural interaction and transformation

Living with a host family is a great way to truly experience the day-to-day life of your host culture.

You will see what the pastimes are, the similarities in culture, as well as the stark differences.

You will also develop a stronger understanding of the cultural differences, and maybe why things are the way that they are (or, alternately, this will just create more questions in your mind).

More importantly, your host family will be able to serve as cultural informants for you. When you have questions about the culture that you don’t feel comfortable asking elsewhere, your family will be able to field your questions and help you learn more about them and their culture.

In short, for the deepest cultural exchange, homestays are just what the doctor ordered.

Cons:

You will have to communicate your plans when you intend to skip a meal (or otherwise be away)

Does this sound like what happens when you visit your family at home? It is common courtesy to do this, but it can absolutely be annoying to have to decide on your plans in advance.

Sometimes, you just want to get away | Study Abroad and Beyond

You probably will not be allowed overnight guests

If you are living with a host family in Spain and you have a friend visiting you from the Czech Republic, you can always ask your host family if you can have this friend stay during the weekend. However, this could be viewed as intrusive.

It is important to determine the policy for overnight guests in advance. If you have a housing agreement that you sign, make sure you read all of the information in the agreement and ask for any clarification prior to committing if this is important to you.

If you do not get along with the family it will be challenging

This goes for differences in lifestyle and opinion.

My biggest challenge with one of my host families was the presence of smoke. I cannot stand living in an environment where someone smokes.

I had disclosed this on my housing request, but was placed with a family where the father was a chain smoker (at least he smoked on the balcony). The smoke would still come in the apartment, and I had headaches as a result.

I mentioned this to the housing coordinator, but was told that there weren’t any families that were entirely smoke-free. I eventually got used to the smoke, and the family members were really sweet, but I was relieved when I could leave for a few days to stop smelling of smoke.

You are subject to the family’s rules and ways

There will be times when the way that you were raised will be in direct conflict with the way that the family does things.

This includes anything from packing (no, Mama, I really don’t need your help packing my bags – even though you already did it for me…).

And also eating (what do you mean that you will feed me and watch me eat instead of eat at the table with me?), and even to holidays (…you told me not to get presents and then you got me a million things…).

If you are able to think critically about your gut reaction and contextualize it within your home culture, the more accepting you will be.

There is not as much access to other students

This is probably the most common complaint that I hear from students who stay with host families. Homestay students do not have constant access to other students, unless there are other university students staying in the house.

It is harder to make friends in your age group when your host family does not interact with that age group aside from host students.

Many students who encounter this challenge find ways to stay involved (like participating in student groups and sports) and appreciate their homestays, but are somewhat wistful about not having roommates their age.

Overall, it is important to consider your desired living arrangements abroad – nothing is truly perfect or ideal for everyone, but researching different options (with the help of your trusty study abroad advisor) is an important first step.

Have you stayed with homestays? What did you love? What was challenging?

Checklist: Things to Do During Your First Week Abroad

DuringArrival, Lists, TipsBecca Leigh

Freaking out about your first week abroad? Here is a list of things you should be doing! | Study Abroad and Beyond You made it!

You successfully packed up most of your life, your flight connections all connected, and you are in your new home!

Now you can’t wait to visit local cafes, stroll the streets, and meet new friends.

There is also a good possibility that you are feeling wonderful (if not a little jet-lagged), and you can’t wait for your adventures to begin.

What you do during your first few days abroad will be the foundation of a successful experience in your new home.

Here are the things that you should do during your first week abroad.

Contact your family

You probably will do this before you arrive at the gate while you are still on the plane in your host country. However, this is a nice reminder that your family and friends all have a vested interest in hearing that you arrived safely.

Spend at least four hours alone

Many students study abroad with friends, but it is important to remember that your study abroad experience is exactly that – your experience. How you define “four hours alone” is up to you.

I do encourage it to be free of social media and full of true interaction with your host city.

Take a walk around the block, read at a café, go to an art gallery, gorge yourself on a dessert of your choosing – it doesn’t matter what the activity is, but make sure that you are okay being with you in your new surroundings.

(Keep in mind – I didn’t say that you should walk alone at night, go someplace without telling anyone, drink by yourself in a closet, or other not so great ideas.)

Speaking of telling people where you are going, you should…

Get to know your roommates

No matter who your roommates are – yourself, a host family, a literal roommate (yay limited personal space), or housemates – you should spend some time in the first week getting to know them.

Think of this as freshman year all over again.

You might find new travel partners, and if you live with a host family, you have some people who can show you their city!

Either way, these are the people who are going to be there during your really great days and during your really down days.

Who knows, they might be there to bail you out if you lose your debit card.

Situate your room

The first week of any new situation is a blur – there are meetings and requirements and pretty soon your brain is exhausted. What is more exhausting than coming back to your room and seeing all of your worldly possessions still in a suitcase?

Depending on your arrival time, it might be beneficial to power through your jet lag and make your room feel like home. And, after making your bed, you can nap if you need to, just as long as you…

Attend all orientation events

If your program offers orientation activities and events, attend them. Plain and simple. There will likely be information about your upcoming semester, housing, a tour of the neighborhood, a safety presentation, the emergency contact number for an administrator, and more.

Yes, you will be jet-lagged.

Yes, you will probably want to skip it.

No, you shouldn’t miss it.

Finalize your residency

This will not apply to all countries, nor will it apply to all students. For many countries (some if you’re staying more than 90 days, some if you’re staying at all), you will have to work with local government agencies to get a temporary residency permit or a visa.

It is your responsibility to research if you will need a permit; depending on your type of program, your host university study abroad advisor or program provider might help you obtain this permit.

Locate important places in relation to your housing

In addition to locating the important places, make sure you know the contact information of each place as well. Now is a great time to know and memorize the emergency number for your area!

Examples of important places that you should know within the first week: U.S. Embassy (or the embassy of your home country), local police station, a health clinic (for non-emergencies), a hospital, a grocery store, a bank with an ATM, a pharmacy, public transportation, your university.

Notice I didn’t say anything about bars or restaurants. Trust me, you will find them without trying too hard.

Meet at least five new people

Now that you have already gotten to know your roommates, expand your social circle! Talk to some people about how their travels were. Ask what they are studying. See if anyone else has a hankering to visit that food truck on the street. This is the time that you should also…

Meet at least one person not from your country

This is really important. While it is helpful to get to know others who came from your home country, the point of studying abroad is to meet others with differing backgrounds and perspectives (oh, and attending classes… Please attend your classes).

If you meet someone from your host city, great! If you meet someone from a different country, even better! Have some meaningful interactions, and pretty soon you will be able to add another place to visit to your list (with the hope that they will then come and visit you back at home).

Explore your city

Grab a friend, a map, a camera, and set out! This is your new city – play tourist for a day (or two). If you have an entire weekend free once you arrive, take advantage of delving into the city beneath its exterior.

Wander down side streets.

Meander through markets.

Tour some museums.

Visit local religious sites (dressed appropriately, of course).

Just see what there is to see in your city. Who knows what new adventures await?

What did you do during your first week abroad? Share in the comments below!

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Why Travel with an Emergency Cash Stash

Lessons Learned, Money MattersEmergency Cash, Packing, TipsBecca Leigh

Lesson Learned: It is important for travelers to have at least $100 in emergency cash at all times. Don’t spend this cash on anything unless it is a real emergency.

Set the Scene: Traveling in Cambodia, down to my last $25. At the ATM.

I was so excited to finally visit Cambodia. It was part of a multi-country adventure through Asia, and the breathtaking beauty of the countryside was a warm welcome. I had started the trip with $250, but had spent a lot of the cash because my credit card decided not to work with me (despite multiple phone calls to my bank). Also, the last two countries I had traveled through were cash-only, just like Cambodia, so my funds had dwindled quite easily.

Angkor Wat Sunrise | Study Abroad and Beyond I had arrived in Cambodia the night before, and enjoyed my tuk tuk ride to my hostel.

The next morning, before the crack of dawn, I awoke with fellow travelers and hired tuk tuk drivers to transport us to Angkor Wat to see the sunrise.

We were not disappointed – with the sunrise or the throngs of people. The sun rose red over the temples, and our day began. We went from wat to wat and took pictures upon pictures.

It was a sweltering day (as most days are in Cambodia), and my group stopped to haggle over some coconuts after lunch. I knew that my cash supply was dwindling, and planned to visit the ATM later that evening.

On our return from Angkor Wat, our driver pulled an impressive U-turn so we could take some pictures of the monkeys that lined the road. We started a “monkey-jam” as other travelers then tried to convince their tuk tuk drivers to stop for pictures; the drivers slowed down but did not stop. I figured that we had truly lucked out on tuk tuk drivers, and doubled the amount that I tipped him for the day once we returned to the hostel.

After washing up, we walked toward the Siem Reap Old Market for dinner. I asked the group if we could stop at the ATM on the way.

Everyone was more than happy to comply.

We went to one ATM stand and couldn’t withdraw funds, and so we soldiered on to the next ATM we found. It was in a convenience store.

(I have never trusted convenience store ATMs, but I was desperate for some money).

Hungry, Hungry ATM | Study Abroad and Beyond — My nemesis.

One of the girls went first and successfully withdrew money. I approached the ATM, inserted my debit card, plugged in my pin code, and looked up to see the following phrase:

“Your card has been captured.”

Say what? No. Nope. Nuh-uh. What do you mean my card has been captured?!

I pressed another button.

“Your card has been captured. Please contact the bank.”

Uhhhhh… It’s 8:00 pm here, all of the banks are closed, and I have $25 in cash to get me through two more countries in two weeks. And I’m borderline hangry.

I asked the clerk about contacting the bank, and he said that not only could I not call the bank, he couldn’t break into the ATM for me (or allow me to do it). He did, however, provide me with the WiFi code to his store so I could call my bank.

After multiple disconnections with my bank’s account services people, I finally called in the troops… and called my parents.

I begged them to call my bank to try to get a new card mailed to me at my next stop. The representative my parents spoke to didn’t quite understand the name of my next city (“Soul? There isn’t a place called Soul…”), but I was comforted by the fact that I wasn’t the one who had to make any more phone calls. I did, however, call my travel insurance company and, for the first time ever, they were unable to help me (apparently a debit card is worthless; they can only replace cash).

Why Travel with an Emergency Cash Stash | Study Abroad and Beyond One of my fellow travelers – to whom I will be ever grateful – gave me $30 and 1000 Thai Baht, and I paid her via PayPal. It is truly wonderful how travelers support each other, and I will certainly continue to pay this forward.

My debit card never showed up until I arrived back in the US, and I ended up charging the majority of my expenses over the next two countries.

When I returned home, I had the equivalent of a total of $2.50 across five currencies.

In all of my travels since, I have made sure to have a cash stash that I do not touch – because you never know when an ATM is going to get hungry.

6 Tips to Own a Job Interview

After, Lessons LearnedInterview, JobBecca Leigh

Love these tips! I always get so stressed when I have an interview, but this helped me get organized and not freak out. Thanks for pinning!! A job interview is quite an ordeal.

You spend ages preparing for the interview.

You stress about what you wear.

And there is the slightest chance that you will show up at the wrong place, or at the wrong time.

However, you also meet people who will (maybe) one day become your colleagues, and that’s pretty exciting!

I have had the opportunity to be in many interviews, both as an interviewee and an interviewer. However, I remember two distinct interviews that BLEW MY MIND (and I wasn’t even the interviewee!).

These were honestly the best interviews I have ever been in, and I want to share with you what made these candidates so special. You can then use some of the tips during your job search!

Here are the six things that the candidates had in common that ultimately helped them secure job offers.

1. Present yourself like you own the place

No, I don’t mean that you should act too familiar with the interviewers. I’m referring to how your posture impacts your interview.

It’s amazing how many people slouch during interviews! I admit, I feel like I have been guilty of this during interviews – in chairs with armrests, it’s so easy to melt into one side. However, slouching doesn’t engage the interviewers.

If you are standing during your interview for a presentation, for example, avoid fidgeting or swaying from side to side. While you don’t have to stand without moving at all, movements can be distracting for the interviewers.

For seated interviews, sit centrally in the chair. Try not to slouch to either side, and consider leaning forward to engage the team (hands can be placed on the table as well).

2. Take time to think, but not too much time

Interviews are weird. The types of questions are fairly standard, and candidates have probably (and hopefully) spent some time preparing great responses to the questions.

However, there are times when the questions seem to come out of nowhere (i.e. tell me about your biggest professional regret) and some thinking time is needed before responding.

There are usually two types of candidates in this situation:

Ones who panic and try to respond quickly, and then end up talking far longer than is necessary, and
Ones who pause… and pause… and allow an awkward silence to build up in the room…

A pause after a question is completely okay; however, it is beneficial when you say “that’s a good question” and then pause for no longer than four seconds to collect your thoughts.

When this happens, the interview panel knows that you are thinking and still engaged, as opposed to having a complete shutdown.

If you are on a Skype or phone interview, keep your pauses to a minimum- you don’t want the team thinking that you were disconnected!

3. Prepare for your greatest weakness and address it

We all have varied work backgrounds. Employers have a tendency to look at the length of employment at positions, as well as relevance to the position. When candidates do not have directly relevant experience, this can be perceived as a weakness.

During your preparations, consider any positions that you have had that could be perceived as potentially incompatible with the position.

For example, how can you discuss your summer position as a camp counselor when you are applying for an administrative role? (Full disclosure- I think being a camp counselor is the greatest summer job ever, but we’ll get into that another time.)

Then, once you have determined seemingly irrelevant roles, think about specific skills you gained from these positions.

Now, re-read the job description.

Identify the key words and skills for the position, and brainstorm different scenarios where you demonstrated those skills (especially in those roles you already considered).

Here is an example interview response for an administrative office job that requires flexibility, customer service, independence, and resourcefulness:

“During my role as a camp counselor, I loosely planned my weeks on Sunday, and then adjusted the schedule daily based on my campers’ interests and needs (flexibility and customer service).

“Because of the weather in the mountains, I always had a “Rainy Day Activity Plan” that I could use to engage the campers in the event of a sudden rainstorm (resourcefulness).

“My proudest accomplishment was leading a group of campers by myself for a week and receiving the highest scores possible on the evaluations (independence and a demonstrated focus on outcomes).”

4. Leverage examples (and your experience living abroad) in your responses

Hiring teams love examples because they demonstrate the skills that they are looking for. Showing is always better than just telling.

In many situations, it is second nature to respond directly to questions and not provide examples supporting your response.

For example, if the team asks you about your study abroad experience and the impact it had on your life, it is easier to provide predictable responses- “I learned a lot about myself, I showed patience when I missed my flight, I demonstrated my flexibility by not crying over my roommate assignment…”

I will say it here – it is hard to effectively explain what you got out of your time abroad.

However, if you use your study abroad experience to demonstrate certain interests and skills that would positively impact the work environment – a passion for second language acquisition, a keen interest in other people, heightened self-awareness, and resourcefulness (with examples for each) – the hiring team will see just how much you would bring to the team.

5. Keep answers brief, but provide adequate support for your answer

In interviews, it is challenging to summarize an entire life, interests, goals, and hopes into a brief response.

Interviewing teams value candidates who have succinct answers that are engaging, well-supported with examples, and brief.

When the team asks you the dreaded “tell us about yourself” question, it is easy to speak at length about your background, your goals, what has gotten you this far in life, and more.

Please reconsider your five minute monologue.

Your response to this question can be effective if you speak eloquently and provide examples to support your response, making sure that they are all relevant to the position.

If the interview team needs any clarification or wants more details in the response, they will ask.

As a general rule, if your response to a question (unless it is a situational question) is longer than two minutes long, shut ‘er down.

6. Have questions and interview the interviewers

Truly prepared interviewees have questions for the interviewers.

Exceptional interviewees research the biographies they can find about their interviewing team and ask pointed, directed questions at each interviewer.

This takes a little digging, but the potential outcomes for asking great, personalized questions are profound.

Specifically research the background of each member of the interview team and ask each person specific questions about their experiences, current projects, and how changes in the field are impacting their work.

Can’t figure out who will be on your interviewing panel? Ask your point person in the office for a list (or a schedule).

Asking individual questions demonstrates that not only did you conduct thorough research, but you were serious about showing your resourcefulness, sincerity, and preparation. Hiring teams like that.

Now go get yourself hired!

What have you done in interviews that worked for you? Share below!